pickup icon

Starry false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the bright white flowers of starry false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the bright white flowers of starry false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the early fruits of starry false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Starry false Solomon's seal with mature berries (Maianthemum stellata). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Starry False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum stellata

This lush perennial emerges each spring with delicate bluish-green leaves on arching stems. In May and June, it flaunts dainty star shaped white flowers, that alternate along the stem and mature into dark fruits that are eaten by wildlife in the fall. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: herbaceous, perennial plant 
  • Size at maturity: 8-12" tall, spreads laterally by rhizomes
  • Light requirements: full shade, part-sun/part-shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist soil
  • Bloom time: May - June
  • Growth rate/ease: easy to grow, medium growth rate 
  • Wildlife support: attracts and supports bees, other insect pollinators, beneficial insects and pest eating insects, birds and small mammals 
  • Native habitat/range: Common in creek banks, mesic meadows, woods, swamps through Oregon up to 2300 meters. Also present in areas of  ID, NV, WA; throughout Canada and south to northwestern Mexico. Portland Plant List - yes.
  • Special features & uses: groundcover, shady pollinator gardener, woodland garden

Gardening with Starry False Solomon's Seal: This lovely woodland plant prefers most-to-full shade and moist, mature soils that are rich in organic matter. When put in the right place, it will spread nicely from rhizomes, eventually forming a lush colony that will be a sweet addition to your woodland garden.

Photo Credit 1: Starry False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum stellata)" by La.Catholique is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credits 2, 3: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 2: "2020.07.02_09.16.05_IMG_7475" by AndreyZharkikh is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credit 3: "2014.08.04_17.29.27_DSCN1663" by AndreyZharkikh is licensed under CC BY 2.0